Elevating and lowering device



1 c. H. LARSEN ET AL 2,769,676

' \ELEVATING AND LOWERING DEVICE Filed Dec. 21, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 70 ATTORNEY Nov. 6, 1956 c. H. LARSEN ET AL ELEVATING AND LOWERING DEVICE Filed Dec. 21', 1951- ENTOR H LARSEN M J. GIBBS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY United States Patent ELEVATING AND LOWERING DEVICE Carl H. Larsen, Brooklyn, and William J. Gibbs, East Rockaway, N. Y., assignors to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application December 21, 1951, Serial No. 262,726 9 Claims. (Cl. 312306) This invention relates to improved elevating and lowering apparatus and particularly to apparatus for moving a material supporting platform to one elevation to bring the work to a suitable working level and to another elevation to facilitate storage of the material as in the bottom of a desk pedestal.

It has been found advantageous for clerical workers to have their work at convenient working levels because this promotes efliciency and decreases fatigue. It is desirable, however, that such records be stored when not in use at levels below the working level so that they will occupy space not otherwise used.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved desk wherein the drawers of the desk may be easily raised to convenient working levels when being worked upon and which can be lowered to lower elevations to facilitate storage of the records when not in use.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved record storing device which enables records to be easily moved about an ofiice intact and still be readily combined with the pedestal of a desk when the records are not in use.

A further object is to provide an improved record elevating and lowering device which can be easily operated by female clerical workers and which will be sufficiently compact to enable the records to be pushed into the lower part of a desk pedestal without sacrificing record storing space.

Another object is to provide a record storing unit that is readily adaptable for combination with desks and counters.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear as the description of the particular physical embodiment selected to illustrate the invention progresses. In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, like characters of reference have been applied to corresponding parts throughout the several views which make up the drawings.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the two-level storage rack in conjunction with a conventional desk with the storage rack in closed position to form part of the desk.

Figure 2 is also an isometric view of the two-level storage rack in conjunction with a conventional desk with the storage rack and the upper drawer of the desk in pulled-out position and the lower drawer resting in its lower position on said storage rack.

Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the twolevel storage rack as seen from line 33 of Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a rear view of the two-level storage rack with parts broken away to reveal detail construction.

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional end elevation of the looking device of the storage rack.

Figure 6 is a detailed end elevation of the operation lever of said storage rack.

With reference to the drawings, the two-level storage rack consists of a horizontal supporting frame 10, the front end of which is integral with a vertical frame housing 12. A pair of suitable bearing brackets 16 are mounted on the inside of the upper end of side walls 14 of vertical housing 12. Each bearing bracket 16 supports a stud shaft- '18 which is rotatably secured to a sprocket 20. Each of the sprockets 20 engage with a chain 22. One end of each chain 22 is secured to a floating horizontal saddle shaft 24, while the other end of each of said chains is fastened to upright arms 26 formed integrally with a horizontal carrier frame 28. The upper ends of a plurality of balancing springs 30 are hooked to saddle shaft 24 while the lower end of each spring is anchored to suitable eyes 32. The eyes 32 are attached to a cross member 34 (Fig. 3) which forms the bottom of the vertical frame housing 12.

A guide roller 36 is pivoted to one side of each vertical arm 26 as well as to each corresponding side of the carrier frame 28. One roller of each pair of rollers 36 contacts the front face while the other roller contacts the rear face of a vertical upright 38 of the vertical frame housing 12. The pairs of rollers 36 are so arranged as to form a cantilever type support for the carrier frame 28. A horizontal rail or track 40 is secured to the central portion of the under side of carrier frame 28. A roller 42 engages with track 40 and is pivoted to the upper free end of a lever 44 mounted on a horizontal shaft 46. The shaft 46 is supported at each end by suitable bearing brackets 48 which are secured to the horizontal support ing frame 10. A lug 50 also extends from the hub of lever 44 and one end of a tension spring 52 is attached to the free end of lug 50. The other end of said spring 52 is anchored to the horizontal supporting frame 10.

A pair of studs or tubular legs 54 are rigidly attached to shaft 46. The free end of each of such legs 54 is provided with a rubber tip 56. An operating arm 58 is secured to one end of shaft 46 and has flat handle 60 hinged to one end thereof (Fig. 6). The handle '60 normally lies flat against the upper end of arm 58 when not in use. When the operator desires to actuate arm 58 the handle 60 isswung 90 degrees away from said arm 58 to provide a convenient grip as illustrated in Figure 6. In order to make it easier for the operator to get hold of the handle when laying flat against arm 58, the latter at the side edges of its upper portion is provided with suitable cut outs 62. The bottom of the material box 64 is placed on the carrier frame 26 and has suitable cleats or nails 66 which fit within said carrier frame and secures the material box from being accidentally shifted.

In order to provide meansfor locking the carrier frame 28 in its lower position when the apparatus is not in use, a suitable spring latch 68 is secured to the horizontal supporting frame 10. The free hook-shaped upper end of the latter engages with the carrier frame 28 (Fig. 5). The entire structure of the two-level storage parts is supported by means of two pairs of spaced rollers 70 which permit the apparatus to be easily moved. Each pair of rollers is mounted on a horizontal shaft 72 which is fulcrumed in suitable bearing brackets 74 attached to the underside of the horizontal supporting frame 10.

Since the two-level storage rack described above is especially well suited for use with a conventional desk, its dimensions are such that the entire apparatus may be pushed in between the pedestal-s or legs L or a desk D. The front side of the vertical frame housing 12 is finished and shaped in such a manner as to match the contours, color, and general finish of such desk (Fig. l) and thus forms part of the latter. The front side 80 may also be provided with a convenient handle 82 which permits the storage rack to be pulled out in a manner similar to a drawer being pulled open or out from a desk.

The two level storage rack is particularly well adapted for use with a desk D that has" a top drawer T which may be supported and moved on conventional'telescoping runners R as are frequently used in filing cabinets. The top Whe'rfaiclerk or operator is to work on the records'filed' inthe top drawer T, he o'rshe grips the handle 82 and pulls outithe storage'rackthe' necessary distance. Then by means of handle H pulls-out the top drawer T as illnstrated iii Figure 2-. If he or she desires-to work on the records'inthe container 64- or so-called bottom drawer, the-clerk first pushes-"thetop drawer T into the deslc'again and then kicks the spring latch 68 with his foot. This causes the'latter to disengage from the carrier frame 28 and immediately ascend-ashort distance due to the combined spring-action of the balance springs 30 and tension spring 52;-

The' clerk then gripsthe hinged handle 60 0n operating arm 58 andm'oves the latter in the direction of the arrow A illustrated in Figu-re 3. This movement of arm 58: on shaft46 raiseslever 44 so that the roller 42 on lever 44'riding in contact with the rail 40 on the bottom portion of carrier frame 28-raises the carrier frame 28 and the bottom drawer 64carried by the same. The arm 58 is-moved by the clerk in the direction of the arrow A'- until the roller 42-contacts and is arrested by a stop lug 43. secured. to the bottom surface of rail 40.

The stop'lug 43 is located in such a positionthat roller 42,.before engagingwith the same, has to ride over the vertical dead centerof its lever 44. The tension spring 52 assists in locking said leverand the carrier rack 28 in place in their upper position. This prevents the carrier ra'ckand lever from-going down when the clerk leans on the bottom drawer 64 when it is in raised position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3'.

Since the balance springs- 30 arecalibrated for the weight of-the records in the-drawer 64 resting on the carrier frame 28, raising the heavy drawer 64 to the convenientworking'levelris-effortless and requires no strength on the part of the. clerk because the weight is counterbalanced. The bottom drawer 64, when in raisedposition,- is-at the same level as the top drawerT of the same desk and the clerk is-able to easily make entries on the records of the bottom drawer without bending downer lifting.

Since, as mentioned heretofore, shaft 46 is provided with two rubber'tipped lugs-54; the latter, as arm 58 and lever- 44 are moved upward, are moving downward and the rubber tips 56contactthe floor and prevent accidental shiftingor moving of the storage rack when the bottom drawer isin raised position.

When the clerk desires to lower the bottom drawer againhe simply gets hold of'the hinged handle 60 on arm 58 and movesthe same downward which causes roller 42' to disengage fromstop lug- 43. Thisetfects a downward movement of carrier frame 28 and drawer 64. During the last inch or so of said downwardmovement, the clerk slightly presses the drawer downward to effect a reengagement oflatch sp'ring68 with the carrier frame causing-,the-latter to be locked in its lowermost position. The clerk may then-push the storage rack back into the deskas mentioned-heretofore to form a part thereof.

It will be-appreciated that compact units comprising an=upper drawer and a two'level lower drawer not only avoid" fatigue but arealsogreat time savers for storing andiusing record cards. They have the advantage that they'arehighly versatile andcan be made in separate units that can be built into a counter or can be placed as accessories adjacent a-desk, table or counter, or can be made apart of the pedestal portion of a desk.

The inventionhereinbefore described-may be varied "in construction within, the scope of thelclaims, for the-par- 4- ticlular device selected to illustrate the invention is but one-of many possible embodimentso'f thesame: The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. A two-level storing and dispensing apparatus comprising, a base, an upright extending upwardly from said base, a cantilever material supporting platform mounted for up and down movement on said upright, calibrated tension springs secured to said base for counterbalancing: said material supporting. platform and the material supported thereon, means interconnecting the other endof said calibrated tension springs with said carrier platform to effect said counterbalancing' action, a lever arm pivoted on said base for engaging-"with the bottom portion of said material supporting platform to positively change the height of said platform above said base, manual means for swinging said lever arm about said pivot to changethe position of said material supporting platform, an extension extending from said lever arm and engaging with the floor when said lever arm is in substantially vertical position to provide a rigid support extending from the bottom of said platform to the floor to lock said platform in elevated position, and a calibrated spring for urging a portion of said lever arm against said platform to exert an upward force thereon.

2. A two-level storing and dispensing apparatus comprising, a base, an upright extending upwardly from said base, a cantilever material supporting platform mounted for up and down movement on said upright, calibrated tension springs secured to said ease for counterbalancing. said-material supporting platform and the material sup ported thereon, means interconnecting the other end of" said calibrated tension springs with said carrier platform to effect said. counterbalancing action, a lever arm pivoted on said base for engaging with the bottom portion of said material supporting platform to positively change the height of said platform above said base, manual means" for swinging said lever arm about said pivot to change" the position of said material supporting platform, an extension extending from'said lever arm and engaging with the floor when said lever arm is in substantially vertical position to provide a rigid support extending from the bottom of said platform to the floor to lock said plat= form in elevated position, a calibrated spring for urging a portion of said lever arm against said platform toexert an upward force thereon, and a latch for holding said carriage in depressed position.

3. An improved record storing apparatus comprising a base, an upright extending upwardly from said base, a cantilever platform movably mounted on said upright, calibrated springs for counterbalancing the weight of said' cantilever platform and the material supported thereon to facilitate said platform being moved up and down, alever" arm pivoted to said base under said platform, an actuating arm for swinging the free end of said lever arm up against the bottom of said cantilever platform, a spring for urging said lever arm against the bottom of said platform, and a leg extending from said lever arm to engage with the floor on which said apparatus is supported when said lever arm is elevated to provide a rigid support extending from the bottom of said platform to the floor to hold said apparatus in place.

4. A two-level storing and dispensing apparatus comprising a base, an upright extending upwardly from one side of said base, tracks formed on said upright, a cantilever material supporting platform, guide rollers mounted on said cantilever platform and engaging with said tracks to maintain said cantilever platform in a horizontal position when moved up and down along said tracks, rotary members mounted at the upper end of said upright,.calibrated tension springs secured at their lower end to said base, elongated flexible members passing over said rotary members and interconnecting the other end of said cali-- brated tension springswith said'carrier platform, a-releasabl holdingmemberforinaintaining said carrier platform at its lowermost level, said calibrated tension springs having sufficient energy to only lift said carrier part of its maximum vertical distance of travel, an arm pivotally mounted on said base and having the free end thereof swingable against said carrier platform to assist in elevating said platform from its lowermost level to its uppermost level when moved about said pivot, a spring for applying spring tension force to said arm to urge said arm against said material supporting platform, and a handle for manually actuating said lever to move it about said pivot.

5. A two-level material storing and dispensing apparatus comprising a base, an upright extending upwardly from said base, a cantilever platform riding up and down on said upright, calibrated springs for counterbalancing the weight of the material and the platform to facilitate its being moved up and down a portion of its vertical distance of travel, a counter-balanced lever arm pivotally mounted on said base and engaging with said platform to assist in raising and lowering the platform the balance of its vertical distance of travel, and a stop mounted on said platform with which the free end of said lever arm engages after it has passed past its vertical position to thereby eifect a locking action on the lever arm, said lever arm being counterbalanced by a spring for urging said lever arm to move in a direction which will urge the lever arm up against the platform towards said stop.

6. A record holding device comprising a framework, a horizontally movable drawer mounted in the upper portion of said framework, a portable carriage supporting a vertically movable second drawer adapted to be pushed under said upper drawer to form part of said framework when not in use, counterbalancing springs for counterbalancing the weight of said second drawer to facilitate its being moved up and down for a portion of its vertical distance of travel, a releasable locking device for locking said second drawer in elevated position, a releasable locking device for holding said second drawer in lowered position when manually depressed, and a separately counterbalanced lever arm engaging with said second drawer to facilitate moving said second drawer up and down the balance of its vertical distance of travel.

7. A record holding device comprising a framework, an upper drawer mounted for horizontal movement, a sec ond drawer mounted for horizontal movement, a device for holding said second drawer in depressed condition, counterbalancing springs connected to said second drawer to raise said drawer upwardly for a portion of the drawers vertical distance of travel when said device is released, and a spring-counterbalanced lever arm engaging with said second drawer to assist in elevating said second drawer the balance of its vertical distance of travel to its uppermost position.

8. An improved record storing apparatus comprising a framework, a drawer mounted for horizontal movement in the upper portion of said framework, a second drawer positioned under said upper drawer, a mounting supporting said second drawer for horizontal movement under said upper drawer, counterbalancing means to counterbalance the weight of said second drawer to facilitate said drawer being moved for a portion of its vertical travel from one elevation to another elevation, a lever arm engaging with said drawer to manually assist in moving and changing the elevation of said drawer, and a counterbalancing spring urging said lever arm in a given direction to facilitate the elevation of said drawer the balance of the portion of its vertical travel.

9. A record storing and dispensing device comprising a movable carriage, a record holder supported on said carriage for up and down movement relative thereto, counterbalancing members for causing said carriage to be raised upwardly a portion of its vertical distance of travel, a separately counterbalanced lever arm pivotally mounted at one side of said carriage to raise and lower said carriage the balance of said distance of travel, and a manual handle grip collapsibly mounted at the end of said lever arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,888,478 Steidl Nov. 22, 1932 1,934,370 Mirabella Nov. 7, 1933 1,593,024 Rand Mar. 27, 1934 2,300,725 Cieri Nov. 3, 1942 2,424,144 Bruen July 15, 1947 2,460,125 Carroll Jan. 25, 1949 2,604,996 Smith July 29, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 364,263 Italy Oct. 26, 1938 

